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Here I was all set to order a Blackbird; now I'm dithering hopelessly. Seems like a drawback to the Ridge Runner is that its harder for newbies to decide which to get, as a first backpacking hammock.

I get that RR has spacer bars, weighs a bit more, and needs a bigger/heavier tarp, so it's a little more expensive. Its harder to know, off hand, if I care about spacer bars vs. gathered, or even a better view, without experience. And I'm not clear if sleeping with my knees bent will work or not for me, without crawling into them.

As people with BBs get more experience with their new RR hammock, please give some pros & cons or other guidelines for deciding which of these two is better suited for what uses, or which kinds of people. Not ready to get two hammocks, just yet.

Here I was all set to order a Blackbird; now I'm dithering hopelessly. Seems like a drawback to the Ridge Runner is that its harder for newbies to decide which to get, as a first backpacking hammock.

I get that RR has spacer bars, weighs a bit more, and needs a bigger/heavier tarp, so it's a little more expensive. Its harder to know, off hand, if I care about spacer bars vs. gathered, or even a better view, without experience. And I'm not clear if sleeping with my knees bent will work or not for me, without crawling into them.

As people with BBs get more experience with their new RR hammock, please give some pros & cons or other guidelines for deciding which of these two is better suited for what uses, or which kinds of people. Not ready to get two hammocks, just yet.

This is the boat I've been in since I heard about a bridge from Warbonnet. It's impossibly difficult to make the decision for me. I think, ultimately, I may need to lay in each and decide that way. I can deal with packing some extra ounces if it means I can get comfy when it comes to sleeping, but I'd rather not if I can get perfectly comfy in a BB, lol.

ChacMool - If you get a Ridgerunner and don't like it, it'll probably sell very quickly here on the forum for almost what you paid for it. Even if you don't recoup 100%, you'll have valuable experience for the few dollars you don't get back...you'll never have to wonder whether you want a bridge hammock.

Probably the same with a Blackbird, btw.

“Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall when the wise are banished from the public councils because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded because they flatter the people, in order to betray them.” ~Judge Joseph Story